Hi, I'm Denise and I am excited to be the Greens candidate for Barron River.

I live on the beautiful Northern Beaches of Cairns with my husband, and I am passionate about maintaining the unique natural beauty of our environment, while making space for appropriate improvements to services and infrastructure.

I am a volunteer educator at the Cattana Wetlands where I study the diversity of fauna and flora in our region. I am part of the community group working to return Taylor Point to public ownership as one of the few remaining areas of undeveloped land that the community has enjoyed for many years. 

I also volunteer with the Agile Project where I see first-hand how the destruction of habitat is jeopardising the survival of our native species, and the removal of vegetation at an alarming rate is adding to our risks of flooding and other climate catastrophes.

I am a graduate in Environmental Science and hold a university certificate in Medical Microbiology. I spent several years in medical and public health research before studying for a postgraduate certificate in education.

I am a local business owner, and after teaching for many years in both the public and private sector, I tutor and mentor students who our current system is failing. I believe all young people should be able to reach their potential through free, quality education from early education to university. 

The Greens will ensure public schools are funded to meet every student's needs, support teachers, and upgrade and maintain critical infrastructure that is sustainable and accessible.

I am a mindfulness and meditation facilitator and use my experience to support people with stress and anxiety. I’ve seen first hand how concerns over the lack of affordable housing, the rising cost of living, job insecurity and the lack of a bright future is adding to the mental health crisis.

The Greens will make sure healthcare is properly funded, including mental health and dental care. We will freeze rents and cap increases and build 100,000 well designed public homes at affordable prices. We will invest in public renewables and green manufacturing to create thousands of jobs.

The Greens don’t take corporate donations so we work for you, not vested interests. We will take on the big corporations ripping off Queenslanders and make them pay their fair share to fund universal and genuinely free healthcare and education.

Because my family lives just north of the Jasper flood area, I am critically aware of how inappropriate development can ruin our natural heritage and endanger residents. 

The Greens will fight to protect our tropical lifestyle from the harsh effects of climate change. We will work towards sustainable development, free and frequent public transport and reliable services. 

I am looking forward to the opportunity to fight for you and the things that you believe in.